Hope and despair seem to fill the pages of this unusual book. The art work of these people incarcerated for their various crimes has been likened to the graffiti movement in New York in the 1970s. There a generation of criminals found their outlet in art work in the subways. They used simple materials to create art galleries.

Here where the system has failed these youngsters - the ones who are products of poverty, broken homes and social alienation too - they find an outlet for their anger and frustration in much the same way.

A social counsellor at the San Francisco’s Youth Guidance Centre got together this programme which helps society’s juveniles locked up in these places where  remedial help is used to help them express their feelings through words and images

in a series of work shops. This gives them self confidence to get things down on paper that they are unable to articulate.

It became a weekly magazine called The Beat Within. They are able to get their experiences down, use their creativity and get rid of their bad feelings.

It empowers them, gives them respect and is a wonderful, wonderful program. This book is their story.

It is so hard to find a picture in this collection of work by these juveniles and others that I like the most. All of the drawings are exceptionally good; these people certainly have an artistic flair…I only wish I could draw like they do!

I particularly liked the drawing by Nguyen Dat who drew this as a juvenile offender in the Corcoran State prison in California. It depicts a bird sitting on a large key, with huge tear drops in its eyes which is perhaps a reflection of being trapped and unable to get out, unable to be free but he knows that at the end there will be a key to let him out.

The one on page 138 is done by a Hispanic male aged just fourteen in Miami, Florida. It is an incredible full page drawing which seems to depict the well-known character Lara Croft from the video games and what looks like rough type thugs with weapons and guns are also featured too. There does seem to be a lot of hidden meanings to it but it is just an amazing picture - you have to see it to believe it.

The double page spread by an African/American male in Los Angeles who is just aged fifteen is very touching. It illustrates a manacled hand reaching out and an unfettered hand reaching towards his. I think he has probably taken this from the famous religious picture; The Creation of Adam. I find this the most poignant of the lot.

The book shows how we can allow these people to communicate in their own way through these wonderful pictures to give them hope and a feeling of belonging. It is a beautiful, exceptional book to be treasured.

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Illustrations from the Inside: The Beat Within

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts:  Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews  CLICK HERE  

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